View Gallery

Gallery contains 6 images

×

Photo 1 of 6

Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image

Members of the Kenya Defence Forces Navy and Coastal Riverine Squadron 10 replace the sponson on a Sea Ark 34-foot tactical patrol boat at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Jan. 18, 2016. Members of the KDF and the Riverines met for a two-day maintenance and organization seminar to share best practices for maritime support. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dan DeCook)

Download image

Photo by: TSgt Dan DeCook 

Photo 2 of 6

Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image

Members of the Kenya Defence Forces Navy and Coastal Riverine Squadron 10 replace the sponson on a Sea Ark 34-foot tactical patrol boat at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Jan. 18, 2016. Members of the KDF and the Riverines met for a two-day maintenance and organization seminar to share best practices for maritime support. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dan DeCook)

Download image

Photo by: TSgt Dan DeCook 

Photo 3 of 6

Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image

A member of the Kenya Defence Forces Navy and Boatswain Mate 3rd Class Jeremy White, Coastal Riverine Squadron 10, talk about the difficulties of working in small engine compartments during a maintenance and operations seminar at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Jan. 18, 2016. The two-day seminar provided both navies an opportunity to compare maintenance, operations and troubleshooting techniques. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dan DeCook)

Download image

Photo by: TSgt Dan DeCook 

Photo 4 of 6

Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image

Members of the Kenya Defence Forces Navy and Coastal Riverine Squadron 10 pose for a photo after the conclusion of a two-day maintenance and organization seminar held at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Jan. 18, 2016. The seminar was organized to share best practices on maintenance, organization, troubleshooting, and casualties while underway. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dan DeCook)

Download image

Photo by: TSgt Dan DeCook 

Photo 5 of 6

Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image

Engineman 2nd Class Michael Schulz, Coastal Riverine Squadron 10, and members of the Kenya Defence Forces Navy discuss maintenance check lists while performing preventative maintenance at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Jan. 18, 2016. The Kenyans and Americans met for a two-day maintenance and operations seminar. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dan DeCook)

Download image

Photo by: TSgt Dan DeCook 

Photo 6 of 6

Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image

A member of the Kenya Defence Forces Navy and a member of Coastal Riverine Squadron 10 work together on an oil change at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Jan. 18, 2016. The Kenyans and Americans met for a two-day maintenance and operations seminar. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dan DeCook)

Download image

Photo by: TSgt Dan DeCook 

Sailors from Coastal Riverine Squadron 10 recently spent time with Kenyan Naval forces sharing best practices at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Jan. 17-18, 2016.

“This event was an opportunity for us to work with the Kenyan Navy – one of our African partner nations – to exchange some of the best practices we have each learned on the operation of maritime equipment,” said Lt. Cmdr. Jeremiah Slack, Assistant Mission Commander, Coastal Riverine Squadron 10. “Some of the best practices we shared were periodic maintenance systems and how to identify any problems that occur during underway operations.”

During their time together the U.S. and Kenyan service members also spent time comparing organizations and operations schedules. The two-way communication led to both sides learning new ways of conducting business.

“We learned quite a bit about their organization and their training pipeline, (which is) very robust,” said Slack. “Based on the caliber of Kenyan Sailors that were here, there is a lot we can learn from them.”

Whether it’s combating violent extremist organizations, piracy or illicit trafficking around the Horn of Africa, both navies agreed coming together to share best practices is the best way for each to succeed.

“At times you have problems that you’re not able to fix, and you find that your international partners have had the problem, and know the solution,” said Warrant Officer Daniel Kwayo, Kenyan Defence Forces Navy. “By sharing this information you can be ready when put into tough situations where it’s key to maintain, troubleshoot and repair your equipment.”

At the conclusion of the seminar, members from both countries agreed the time they spent sharing would have a lasting impact.

“The cooperation between us and the U.S. forces helps our security and boat operations more than I can explain,” said Kwayo. “I thank both our leaderships for coming together and allowing us the opportunity to learn and share.”